Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Nuoding Academy was now a closed chapter in Lin Feng, Tang San, and Xiao Wu's lives. At the age of twelve, they had grown taller, stronger, and far more skilled than their peers.
Tang San, now Level 30, was ready to hunt for his third soul ring.
Xiao Wu had reached Level 29, her second soul ring already acquired.
Lin Feng, ever shrouded in mystery and brilliance, had climbed all the way to Level 38, astonishing for someone so young. Despite his level, he still hadn't absorbed a third soul ring, waiting for the perfect match to his Phantom Blood Dagger.
Over the five years, his system points had grown to a towering 45,000.
Their journey to Soto City was supposed to be a simple one. Master had instructed Tang San to leave Nuoding Academy to broaden his experience, and as his sworn siblings, Lin Feng and Xiao Wu naturally went with him.
They followed the map through a minor spirit beast forest near the main route, hoping to take a shortcut. But paths here twisted unnaturally, and they soon realized they were hopelessly lost.
"This doesn't look like the route to Soto City," Tang San muttered, examining a hand-drawn map with a frown.
Xiao Wu, bouncing on her toes, sniffed the air. "Maybe we should climb a tree for a better look—"
Before she could finish, a scream echoed in the forest, chilling their blood.
It was a girl's scream.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened instantly. "That was close. About 300 meters northeast. Let's go."
All three dashed forward like arrows from a bow, Lin Feng leading the way. As they broke through the dense foliage, the scene ahead stunned them.
A girl dressed in a black combat outfit was on her last legs, her body scratched and bloodied, golden eyes full of stubborn pride. She was clearly retreating, but nine burly figures were hunting her down like beasts. Another group of nearly twenty lower-leveled soul masters waited behind them, sealing her escape.
"Don't let her get away! The Zhu Clan wants her alive or dead!"
Zhu Zhuqing.
Lin Feng recognized her instantly from his system foresight: the assassin genius of the Zhu Clan, destined for Shrek. Right now, she was in a life-or-death situation.
"Twenty-seven soul sects chasing one injured girl? Cowards," Lin Feng growled. "Time for justice."
Linfeng uses 100 point for all three increase their combat power by one whole realm
Tang San activated his Blue Silver Bamboo, vines coiling up his arms. Xiao Wu cracked her knuckles. Lin Feng stepped forward, the air darkening as his Phantom Blood Dagger appeared in his hand.
"Shadow Dash."
In a blink, he crossed the battlefield. The leading soul sect didn't even see the flash before Lin Feng's dagger tore across his throat like a whisper in the dark.
One down.
Tang San shouted, "Blue Silver Cage!"
His vines shot forward, binding three attackers at once, slamming them into trees. Xiao Wu used Waist Bow, vanishing and reappearing behind one of the stunned pursuers with a flying kick that sent him crashing through a boulder.
The enemy commander shouted, "Who are these kids!? They're monsters!"
"Fall back! Regroup!"
Lin Feng moved like a phantom. His Phantom Dash skill activated again, his figure blinking in and out of reality. Every time he vanished, someone screamed. His dagger moved like a red comet, cutting through armor and bone with terrifying ease.
Meanwhile, Tang San summoned Blue Silver Trap, launching roots from the ground to entangle six more enemies. The deadly precision of his spirit control had matured over the years. He was no longer just a theory genius; he was a warrior.
"Too slow!" Xiao Wu taunted one soul master as she cartwheeled past his slash and slammed him down with her legs wrapped around his head.
In less than three minutes, over half of the enemies were either unconscious, wounded, or worse.
The remaining soul sects tried to run, but Lin Feng stood in their escape path. His dagger glowed with bloody light.
"You came here to hunt a wounded girl? Allow me to return the favor."
He extended his hand, fingers twitching.
"Shadow Bind Bloom."
From the shadows beneath the trees, dozens of thorned vines burst forth, capturing the last group like flies in a web. They screamed, bound by darkness.
When the forest grew still, only the groans of the injured remained.
Lin Feng sheathed his dagger and turned to the girl who had collapsed against a rock. Her clothes were scorched in places, her breathing ragged. But her gaze met his with steel in her eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing.
"You're... strong," she whispered.
"You're safe now," Lin Feng said softly, kneeling beside her. He pulled out a healing salve from his system inventory and gently applied it to her wounds.
She flinched at first but didn't resist.
"Why did you help me?"
Xiao Wu puffed her cheeks. "Because we're good people!"
Tang San nodded seriously. "And because you were outnumbered."
But Zhu Zhuqing only looked at Lin Feng. His calm, focused demeanor. His strength. His kindness. Her heartbeat quickened.
"Thank you..."
Lin Feng smiled. "Rest. You're safe now."
Unseen by the others, Zhu Zhuqing's fingers curled slightly near her chest.
A spark had been lit.